Embedded Systems Engineer (Washington, D.C.)

Location: San Francisco, CA (HQ), Washington, D.C. (HQ2), or Remote (U.S.)

Team: Engineering • Full‑time • Pre‑seed

Hoplynk is building the communications and networking layer for the intelligent edge, ensuring resilient connectivity for autonomous systems and mission-critical operations in any environment. We’re a pre-seed startup spun out of Stanford University and based in San Francisco developing an embedded software/firmware stack that delivers multipath, failure-aware networking across heterogeneous links so critical systems stay online when networks don’t.

You’ll be our first embedded specialist and a founding engineer. This includes setting up build systems, implementing robust OTA, building observability, and integrating with new boards and compute modules. You’ll work closely with the networking and systems teams to deploy our Rust-based stack across a range of embedded platforms from routers to drones. You’ll have the autonomy to shape how our firmware is built, tested, and delivered in the field.

• Own the architecture and implementation of our Rust-based embedded firmware stack.

• Set up and maintain build systems using Yocto or Buildroot for multiple SoMs and platforms.

• Design and implement reliable OTA updates with A/B partitions, signatures, and rollback.

• Build firmware observability tools including structured logs, metrics, and diagnostics.

• Bring up new hardware: bootloader setup, device trees, kernel configuration, and board support.

• Develop and optimize low-level Rust drivers for networking, wireless, and I/O interfaces.

• Build firmware CI and testing systems including hardware-in-loop and automated flashing.

• Define release engineering and field reliability processes for real deployments.

• Deep experience in embedded Linux firmware and system software development.

• Strong proficiency in Rust with a solid understanding of low-level concepts and safety-critical systems.

• Experience with Yocto or Buildroot, U-Boot, secure or verified boot, and device tree configuration.

• Proven experience designing and maintaining OTA and firmware update systems.

• Ability to debug hardware-software issues with tools such as JTAG, serial consoles, and analyzers.

• Familiarity with production testing, bring-up, and hardware verification workflows.

• Clear communication and documentation habits, with a practical mindset for shipping reliable systems.

• PCB or electrical engineering experience including schematic review and DFT planning.

• Familiarity with power systems, EMI/ESD, and low-power or brownout handling.

• Experience with OpenWrt or edge compute modules such as Jetson, i.MX, IPQ, or Rockchip.

• Background in robotics or UAV systems that operate autonomously in the field.

• Experience integrating firmware with manufacturing and production testing.

• Experience with low-level programming or familiarity with Assembly.

Rust • Yocto / Buildroot • U-Boot • Linux kernel & device tree • Secure boot • RAUC/Mender • systemd • JTAG / SWD • Logging and telemetry pipelines • Firmware CI/CD • Hardware-in-loop testing

We believe that shared values are the foundation for success. At Hoplynk, we value:

• Candor: Say the hard thing kindly, early, and with evidence. Speak up during decisions.

• Humility: Strong opinions, loosely held. Change your mind with facts. Teach and learn in the open; celebrate team wins over heroics.

• Initiative: Run toward the smoke. Own problems end-to-end. Ship in small, safe steps with clear, observable outcomes.